Disturbing omission Sir, – While I found Linda Gradstein's article about the Hand in Hand schools (“Shalom, Salaam, Peace,” Cover, December 26) interesting and well-written, I do need to point out one disturbing omission: The Jerusalem bilingual Hebrew- Arabic school honored Yasser Arafat in November. That this has not been mentioned in any discussion I have seen is just as disturbing as the arson attack on the school building. Almost as troubling is the omission of US President Barack Obama's politically correct team, in also failing to uncover the Arafat memorial at the school prior to the White House Hanukka photo op with Hand in Hand students. EVE LEVITAN Jerusalem Sir, – This article portrays the Arab-Jewish school in idyllic terms. What the writer did not report was that it held a ceremony on the date of Yasser Arafat's death. This would be idyllic for people of one persuasion only. DANIEL RUBIN Jerusalem Just plain missing Sir, – Your collection “The 14 stories of 2014” (Review, December 26) was interesting. However, there was one major omission: the beheading of five Western hostages by Islamic State. The beheading of Steven Sotloff, an Israeli-American Jew, was particularly astounding for us here in Israel. Wouldn't you agree? JOYCE KAHN Petah Tikva Unqualified diagnosis Sir, – I am outraged that to explain a physical medical condition, the Magazine used a column written by a psychotherapist who is clearly unqualified to diagnose it (“Coping with fibromyalgia – why does it hurt all over?” Psychology, December 26). According to Mike Gropper, there are no medical tests to prove that a person has fibromyalgia. He heavily insinuates that it is a psychosomatic condition, but fails to support this with any scientific proof. Is he not aware that rheumatologists and neurologists worldwide evaluate a patient's pain according to 18 distinct pressure points on the body? If a sufferer has pain in at least 13 of the points in all four quadrants, he or she has fibro. (It seems that the photo editor is better informed than the writer, having chosen to illustrate the piece with a graphic that indicates these pressure points.) To my certain knowledge, psychiatrists cannot diagnose fibromyalgia. Therefore, it is not a psychosomatic illness, despite the writer's inferences. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (has proven results in helping pain suffers learn to control their reactions, the writer's trade has not. Please choose someone who is actually qualified to write about an illness next time. Putting this column opposite a page of medical advice lent credence to such antiquated and damaging claims. SUZIE RUSSELL Zichron Ya'acov Measuring up Sir, – I want to give good and valuable advice to those running for office in the coming March 17 elections: Make sure you read the column by Stewart Weiss titled “Follow the leader” (In Plain Language, December 26). Once again, Rabbi Weiss is insightful and shares his insights with us. What is it that makes a good leader? He tells us that all we have to do is look at Joseph. Between Joseph's humility, guts, willingness to be self-sacrificing and other good qualities, there is a lot to be learned from him by those thinking in the direction of leading the Jewish people. Ask yourselves, dear candidates: Can you measure up against a Joseph? YEHUDIT SPERO Beit Shemesh
